Depression and other similar mood disorders affects approximately 20 million Americans according to the National Institute of Mental Health. There are many different types that depression can manifest and each may depend on a person's environment, genetics, lifestyle or other unforeseen events. Four of the more common types of depression include major depression, bipolar depression, seasonal affective disorder and dysthymia.
Major Depression
Major depression alone affects nearly 15 million Americans and is the leading cause of disability for Americans between 15 and 44 years old. With major depression a person may feel sad or a loss of interest for at least two weeks. It can affect their functioning at work or school, family and friends and physical health may deteriorate. Psychology Information Online states that some of the more relevant symptoms may involve the person feeling worthless, helpless or experiencing inappropriate guilt.
Someone with major depression may also feel decreased energy, may sleep long hours or experience insomnia, and may have a decreased sex drive. Major depression is usually treated with a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These medications work to keep serotonin, a mood enhancer, in the body system longer.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is unique to other types of depression because it involves low depressed periods followed by stages of mania ranging from mild to extreme, depending on the diagnosis. It affects around 6 million Americans and usually sets in around 25 years of age. The symptoms of bipolar disorder will vary greatly depending on whether the person is manic, stable or depressed.
The National Alliance for Mental Health lists some of the manic symptoms as having an elated happy mood or an irritable angry mood. She may also have increased energy and stamina beyond a normal spectrum. She may have ambitious or grandiose plans and may take unnecessary risks putting others in danger. Someone in the manic stage may sleep only a few short hours each day or may even go without sleep for days at a time.
The depressive stage of bipolar disorder is characterized by a loss of energy, prolonged sadness, thoughts of suicide, increased anxiety, inability to make decisions, and excessive periods of sleep and inactivity. Bipolar disorder is most commonly treated with lithium, a mood stabilizer.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder is a common, but misunderstood depressive disorder. Human Illnesses states that around 10 million Americans experience seasonal affective disorder. It is most commonly misunderstood as having the winter blues and that it is a normal part of living in areas with varying sunlight.
Also known as seasonal depression, it usually occurs from fall through spring due to a decreased amount of sunlight, which is a natural source of serotonin. The Mayo Clinic states that a common treatment for seasonal affective disorder is the use of light therapy.
Light therapy involves the use of full spectrum light beams that provide the natural benefits of sunlight without the damaging ultra violet rays associated with skin cancer. The symptoms of seasonal affective disorder are similar to other types of depression and include loss of energy, anxiety, weight change, sleep disturbances, and a loss of interest in activities.
Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a mild form of depression also associated with the term melancholy depression. It affects approximately 3 million Americans and usually sets in later than other forms of depression, around 31 years of age. Dysthymia is mild in intensity, but chronic and long lasting. It may also fluctuate into major depression.
A diagnosis requires at least two years of symptoms such as feelings of hopelessness, sleep disturbances, poor concentration, low self esteem, and low energy. Harvard Health Publications states that dysthymia often goes untreated. Treatment usually involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
